Day 7: Reykjavik

 Day 7: Reykjavik 

FactoidOTD:  THB and DB have now been to the northernmost and southernmost capitals in the world: Reykjavik (thankfully it’s not in Akureyri) and Wellington, NZ (for a car drop off and ferry ride to the South Island and the flight back to Sydney because of rerouting due to the earthquakes in Christchurch…not even a meal there). Puerto Natales, Chile, is our furthest south point.

QOTD:  Following the Second World War Iceland was a founding member of the United Nations and grew rapidly, largely due to fishing, although this was marred by conflicts with other nations (Cod Wars). Following rapid financial growth, the economy collapsed in 2008. Today Iceland has recovered and now tourism accounts for the second largest source of revenue. Iceland continues to remain outside the European Union.

Weather: same, cloudy, very little sun and rain ranging from drizzle to downpour

Toast, coffee and muesli for breakfast and an early start to visit the highlights of the Golden Triangle, another eco-tour area east of Reykjavik.

First, Gullfoss (major waterfall):

And, a video showing THB at his film-making best

 

Then the Strokkur geyser at Geysir (THB gets a short video of a short eruption)

Actually, this eruption is so short, even THB couldn't get it on video:

A drive-by of the unusually designed Fontana Hotel at Laguarvatn (on a lake, very much in style of La Remota in Puerto Natales and Explora in Easter Island) where you can soak in hot water and take a sauna (sorry, no pics)

Lastly, Pingvellir National Park: a large fissure (and many irritating flies, keeping us in the car rather than walking around for more than 10 seconds) and fine dining on cauliflower soup with a small roll at the visitors center, $17).  

The timing isn’t right to make use of the day facilities at Fontana, so this is a relatively short eco-day; we’re in Reykjavik to do a bit of shopping mid-afternoon and back to the condo for a rest, laundry, and the start of the final planning for Amsterdam (talk about something entirely different!).

Dinner at Fish Market, easily the best meal we’ve had on the trip. We have the tasting menu and split a wine pairing (wines are from S Africa, Spain, France, Italy and Argentina, and the pours were very generous). Everything Asian fusion style, perfectly cooked, locally source main ingredients, some with a bit too much new wave accoutrements, and probably 1/3 too much food per dish. The lineup: rock shrimp, whale (sashimi style, THB ate this one, DB abstained), langoustine, mussels in lobster both, sushi (salmon roe, scallops), salted cod, salmon, lamb, and a huge dessert plate mostly in tropical flavors (crème brulee, cheese cake, molten chocolate cake, two sorbets, fruit), for a total of $260.